Civil War sites
 

My husband and I plan to attend an Elderhostel this fall in the Richmond / Petersburg Virginia area. We will be driving from the Mid-West and would be interested in stopping at little known Civil War related sites along the way. We've visited all the major battlefields, but would be interested in touring small towns with Civil War connections, minor skirmishes, historic homes, etc. Any favorites you're willing to share would be very much appreciated.

Have you been to the New Market, VA battlefield where the cadets from VMI fought? Located on I-81, it also has a museum. There are several small towns between between New Market and Winchester that relate to the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, and the drive along route 11, a Virginia Byway, is very enjoyable.

I don't know your route to Richmond, but if you plan to pass through middle Tennessee, consider a stop at Dover to visit Fort Donelson. This battle site in the winter of 1862 was the battle is where Ulysses S. Grant got his nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. Dover is a cute little town about 90 minutes northwest of Nashville and is the gateway to the Land Between the Lakes region--also a nice spot to stop at if you are looking for a relaxing day or two!

I forgot about two excellent maps available to you. One is "Virginia Civil War Trails" the other "Shenandoah Valley-Avenue of Invasion" Both list what you are looking for. Call 1-888-CIVIL WAR or go to www.civilwar-va.com.
Enjoy your visit to Virinia and the Valley.

Thanks for your prompt replies, ronkala and RandyK. I apologize for not acknowledging them sooner, but we just returned from Historicon, a miniature wargaming convention in Lancaster PA. Of course we just had to stop in Gettysburg on the way back where we picked up a copy of "The Civil War on the Web, A Guide to the Very Best Sites". Glad that we have some time to research all of these new resources before leaving for Richmond.

Two of our most memorable sites were Harpers Ferry (no true Civil War) abd Appomatox Court House.

At Harper's Ferry the reinactors were there, very authentic. At Appomattox, we were the first ones there that day and for awhile had the place to ourselves, we can picture-in our mind's eye-the scene that day (goosebumps-time).

maryann: Two of our most memorable sites were Harpers Ferry (no true Civil War) abd Appomatox Court House.

I'm not sure what "no true Civil War" means. If I remember my civil war history correctly, Stonewall Jackson and his army were delayed getting to the battle at Antietam because they were engaged at Harper's Ferry. I think most historians believe that delay had a dramatic effect on the outcome at Antietam. I do agree that Harper's Ferry is a great place to visit.

To respond to the original question, I think most of the western campaign sites are lesser known than those in Virginia. A well known site, but one of my favorites to visit is Shiloh.

If you haven't read the book "Confederates in the Attic" by Horwitz you should read it before doing any Civil War trip, called a "Civil Wargasm" in the book!

Another good western battle site is Chicamauga Chattanooga Battlefield in Tennessee.

You mentioned starting in the midwest, so I thought although I don't know your exact starting point, that I'd offer a very little known site. Also in an area not usually thought of in the context to civil war areas.

Missouri, my home state was a highly contentious area that never really sided with either gov't. Because of that, much of the fighting was neighbor on neighbor, town vs town, cities against the rural areas. In October 1862, in small Palmyra, MO occurred the Palmyra Massacre. A Union general committed an act reviled by both sides. Palmyra is in north east Missouri, near Hannibal (also interesting for all of the Mark Twain related sites open to the public).

If not on your way, at least something for your files:
http://www.civilwarstlouis.com/History/Palmyra.htm

It is not my preferred way to do it, but you could do the Lee's Retreat tour in reverse, starting at Appomattox. It is nearly a day's worth of driving (over 100 miles) through rural Southside Virginia, which hasn't changed all that much since the war. At some sites you will see old churches or other structures, and others just have signs. There is one significant battlefield along the route - Sayler's Creek (also spelled Sailor's), where about 8,000 Confederates were captured a few days prior to Appomattox. There are a few historic towns along the way, especially Appomattox, Amelia, and Farmville. Just outside of Petersburg, there are the less visited battle sites of Five Forks and White Oak Road. There are mostly only entrenchments to see now, but these battles were instrumental in the breaking of Lee's Petersburg line. You should plan to visit Pamplin Park if you haven't before. This Petersburg park has reenactors, a very good museum, the best preserved trenches I have ever seen (the site of Grant's breakthrough on April 2, 1865), and other things to see. It is private and costs a bit.

Richmond has two of the very best Civil War sights anywhere, which you may already know about - the Museum and White House of the Confederacy.

It also seems the Shenandoah Valley would make a logical place to go. Start at Harpers Ferry, as others suggested, and follow it south to Lexington to see the tombs and exhibits on Lee and Jackson. Then head east to Appomattox and follow Lee's Retreat to Petersburg.

Absolutely see Shiloh on the way if you can. It is a bit of a distance from my home, but I hope to go next year. I hear it is better than most.

I completely agree with the recommendation of the Horwitz book. It is fantastic! I have a large Civil War section on my personal travel/photography site at www.oneeyed.homestead.com. Within two weeks, I expect to add my tips and photos from the Richmond battlefields, Lee's Retreat, and Appomattox.